What it means
ごとに expresses that something happens separately for each member of a group, at every repeated interval, or each time an action occurs. It attaches directly to a noun or to the dictionary form of a verb. With nouns, it often highlights regular divisions such as each class or each meeting; with verbs, it means “every time” the action takes place. The form itself does not change for familiar or polite sentences.
Usage note
With a verb, use the dictionary form before ごとに, not the ます-form. ごとに can resemble たびに, but ごとに more readily emphasizes separate units or regular intervals, while たびに focuses more generally on every occasion.
How to use it
私は授業ごとに出席を確認します。
I check attendance for each class.
私はその薬を一錠飲むごとに、体調を記録します。
Each time I take one tablet of that medicine, I record my condition.
私は授業ごとに出席を確認する。
I check attendance for each class.
私はその薬を一錠飲むごとに、体調を記録する。
Each time I take one tablet of that medicine, I record my condition.
Example sentences
駅員は改札を通る人ごとに、定期券を確認します。
The station staff check the commuter pass for each person who passes through the ticket gate.
町内会の集まりごとに、議事録を全員へ配ります。
For each neighborhood association meeting, we distribute the minutes to everyone.
薬は種類ごとに、別の引